US seals crucial military deal with the Philippines close to China ‘flashpoints’
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent from World news | The Guardian on (#68ENS)
Deal expands Washington's access to military bases close to Taiwan and the South China Sea
The Philippines has granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, greatly enhancing Washington's presence in the region at a time of growing concern about Chinese aggression.
Washington would be given access to four additional military bases in strategic areas of the country", without specifying the locations, the Philippines' Department of National Defence said on Thursday in a statement.
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